Turtle Hunting: Fishermen in the BVI are allowed to take 24-inch and larger green turtles and 15-inch and larger hawksbill turtles from December 1 to March 31. Estimates range from 150 to 200 turtles killed each year during season. This figure includes leatherbacks, which are extremely endangered and illegal to fish but very valuable due to the fatty oil they produce, and which fishermen say they catch by mistake. Green and hawksbill turtles are probably caught to eat.